Press Rights
JEA stands firmly behind student journalists’ press freedom. Where journalism students delve into the impact of such events as the invasion of the Capitol Jan. 6 and issues stemming from it, they create community engagement and understanding of journalistic responsibility, roles and values. Where the same students make final decisions of content without prior review and restraint, democracy’s ideals flourish and expand. We denounce all efforts to stifle student journalists, and we stand in solidarity with advisers who support them.
Constitution Day is Sept. 17
2025 Theme: Power to the People
The Scholastic Press Rights Committee has put together a set of activities and materials around the 2025 theme "Power to the People" for teachers to use in their classrooms this Constitution Day, Sept. 17. They range from full lesson plans to quick activities and ways to promote Constitution Day in your school community.
Press Rights Quick Links
Prior Review | Law-Ethics Manual | Key Cases | What Are Ethics | Tools of Truth
Michigan schools face loss of open forum status
Despite the Dean v. Utica court decision and despite the fact they have had histories of being forums for student expression, at least two more Michigan schools and their student media face school board rejection of that student media status. In a number of similar instances, a common factor, according to boards and advisers, is…
Internet filtering flaws not new, but still worth exploring, then condemning
A tweet by the Student Press Law Center March 28 highlighted an excellent piece about how Internet filtering harms schools. The blog by Mitch Wagner of Computerworld suggests Internet filtering is excessive and heavy-handed. Links to other articles linked within Wagner’s suggest Internet filters keep students from accessing legitimate information often required by state-mandated tests….
SPJ condemns Wentzville prior review, censorship
The Society of Professional Journalists this week termed disruptive the Wentzville Board of Education’s use of prior review, censorship and the resulting resignation of a trained adviser. The letter urged administrators to end prior review of student media. The comments were part of a letter from SPJ dated March 25 and addressed to board members…
Puyallup school paper case now in court
Testimony began this week over a series of stories on oral sex in the Emerald Ridge High School paper, The JagWire, in 2008. According to an article today in The News Tribune, plaintiffs could seek $16-32 million from the school district. The district is citing the paper’s public forum status at the time as well…
Need help with a censorship issue? You found it.
If you are a JEA member or students of a JEA member who need assistance concerning censorship issues, use the panic button below to generate an online form to explain your situation. This will go to a Scholastic Press Rights Committee member who will assist you quickly and notify others in your state so they can offer assistance. This outreach capability is a direct result of JEA’s Adviser Assistance Program and is designed to combat censorship issues advisers and students might face.